“Water For Elephants” may wet your eyes

By Juliana Hoft
Staff Writer

A circus has come to town! “Water For Elephants” is an exciting story revolving around carnival life. Viewers are bound to be engaged throughout the film and touched to the heart by the time they leave.

“Water for Elephants” is thrilling and romantic; a winning combination. Based off of the novel by Sara Gruen, “Water for Elephants” is about a 90-year old man, Jacob Jankowski, thinking back to his younger days in which he worked at the Benzini Brothers Circus. Robert Pattinson (of “Twilight” series fame) plays this young veterinary student who drops out of Cornell after his parents death and ends up working with the circus animals.

Marlena (Reese Witherspoon) is the wife of the boss and the “star act” in the circus show. Jacob and Marlena both work together with the animals and bond over an elephant named Rosie.

The boss for the circus, a very dangerous man because of his violent and uncontrollable temper, is overly protective of his wife. The suspicion of a romantic relationship between Jacob and Marlena causes him to go mad and results in the disastrous end for the circus. However, Jacob and Marlena are able to find love in the chaotic mess.

The vivid setting of the film seemed magical, enhancing all of the glittering aspects that a circus brings to town. The movie took place during the Great Depression, which makes an inspiring story like this one all the more magical.

Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson played the roles of their characters perfectly. The fifteen-year age difference was barely thought about because of the great love that the two actors portrayed.

The older Jacob’s sentimental recounts made the film unique in its storytelling- flashbacks into his life created a different way to watch these scenes unfold. The film was never confusing, flawlessly opening Jacob’s thoughts and feelings to the entertainment of the audience.

“Water for Elephants” was a fantastic movie, capturing adventure, love and emotion all in an enticing and enjoyable bundle. It is rated PG-13 and is playing at theaters nationwide.